New York, 22 September 2026 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio during a bilateral meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, calling him a symbol of unity for Sierra Leone and the wider West African region.
Guterres commended Sierra Leone’s role during its 2024-2025 term on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s efforts to foster consensus and contribute to international peace and security.
Reaffirming his commitment to Africa, Guterres stated that he would continue to advocate for greater African representation on the Security Council and in financial institutions.
In response, President Bio acknowledged that this meeting might be their final engagement while Guterres serves as Secretary-General. He expressed gratitude for Guterres’s leadership and his unwavering support for Sierra Leone and Africa.
Bio also recognised the UN Secretariat’s assistance during Sierra Leone’s Security Council term, which allowed the country to engage responsibly. He commended Guterres for pushing for Security Council reform and greater African representation.
He thanked Guterres for the partnership between the UN and ECOWAS during his time as Chair and mentioned Sierra Leone’s plans to host the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit in Lungi in November 2026.
“As you near the end of your tenure, Sierra Leone will remember your commitment to multilateralism, Africa, and the vulnerable,” Bio stated.
